Systems and Methods for Consistent Printing Amongst Disparate Print Vendors

ABSTRACT

A system and method for consistent print product generation that converts aspects of a print job from a first print shop in a first print shop terminology to a standard terminology using a mapping scheme generated by the first print shop such that for a second print shop selected to execute the submitted print job, the standard terminology is converted to the second print shop&#39;s terminology by using a mapping scheme generated by the second print shop. The system and method of the inventive subject matter can use feedback to improve the accuracy of the mapping schemes.

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application62/423,704, filed Nov. 17, 2016. U.S. provisional application 62/423,704and all other extrinsic references contained herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is printing technologies.

BACKGROUND

The background description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any ofthe information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

Print shops have traditionally served the local community in whichthey've been located. This relative isolation allowed print shops totailor their services and capabilities to the needs of that particularcommunity. With that, the terminology of a print shop's offeringsevolved to fit those products and services. The printing options andcapabilities available to a community were limited to those that a localprint shop could provide. Conversely, the available market of a printshop was limited to the local community. The development of modern datacommunications enabled print shops to offer expanded capabilities totheir local and internet customers by being able to delegate some or allof a print job to other print shops. Similarly, print shops could expandtheir potential for business by taking on print jobs from other printshops in other communities needing to reach out to meet their demands.

Delegating print jobs to other shops created a new problem: aninconsistency of the printed product executed by other print shops.Because of the individual, unique terminology used by the isolated ofcommunity print shop and their customers, print shops have struggled toaccurately communicate to other shops how to properly execute the printjob, and as such, the print shops executing the print jobs havestruggled to produce an output of printed product that accuratelyreflects the submitted order by the original customer at an acceptablequality. Consequently, customers used to a certain product resultingfrom a submitted order may end up getting print product of a qualitythat is different than they are used to from their usual print shop,thus damaging the reputation of their “regular” print shop. Middle-mansystems to match print shops looking to outsource their work with thosewilling to handle the outsourced work use static standards that do notallow the individual print shops to accurately submit or reproduce printjobs.

Furthermore, the delivery of the product with either or both printshops' names attached to them is confusing to customers as to who isactually responsible for the quality of the product they receive (ineither positive or negative quality scenarios).

Others have attempted to address this discrepancy. US 2016/0328789 toGrosz, US 2006/0132815 to Lofthus, and US 2006/0031585 to Nielsen allattempt to tackle the inconsistencies of a print job distributed amongstdifferent printers. However, none of them address inconsistenciesarising from the disparate terminology used by individual shops toensure a quality, consistent output by print shops selected to executesome or all of a print job originated by a requesting print shop.

Thus, there is still a need for a system of ensuring a consistentgeneration of a printed product even where the terminology between arequesting print shop and an executing print shop are distinct. There isalso a need for a system that allows for the correction of terminologyinterpretation so as to allow print shops to increase the likelihoodthat their terminology will be properly applied in the submission and/orexecution of print jobs that they respectively create or receive forexecution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods inwhich one or more central servers converts one or more physical jobattributes of a print job associated with a customer and received froman originating print shop in the terminology used by the originatingprint shop into a standard terminology, based on a self-mapping schemecreated by the originating print shop. The central server can thenselect, based on logistics job attributes, one or more executing printshops to execute the print job.

Based on the selection, the server(s) convert the standard terminologyto the terminology used by the executing print shop based on aself-mapping scheme generated by the executing print shop, such that thephysical job attributes from the original print job are now in theterminology of the executing print shop.

The server directs the executing print shop to carry out the executionof the print job, and the executing print shop then executes the printjob. The executed print job is delivered to the customer. The serverreceives feedback from the customer and the server is programmed to,based on the feedback, provide recommendations or feedback to one ormore of the originating print shop and executing print shop to adjusttheir respective mapping schemes to improve future output.

In embodiments, the executed print job is sent (i.e., shipped orotherwise delivered) to the customer with the logos or other identifyinginformation of a clearinghouse (which can be the operating entity of thecentral server(s)), and no identifying information of either theoriginating print shop or the executing print shop.

In embodiments, the server selects the executing print shop based onphysical job attributes designated as fixed attributes as a minimumthreshold for selection, and also any optional attributes designated ina print job submitted by a requesting print shop.

The system can include an interface that allows an operator at a printshop to create or generate the mapping scheme for that print shop. Themapping scheme can be generated by the operator by submitting the printshop's own terminology and select or otherwise correlate it with one ormore of the standard terminology terms.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

US 2016/0328789 to Grosz, US 2006/0132815 to Lofthus, US 2006/0031585 toNielsen, and all other publications identified herein are incorporatedby reference to the same extent as if each individual publication orpatent application were specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in anincorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition ofthat term provided herein, the definition of that term provided hereinapplies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

The following description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any ofthe information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth,used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are tobe understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.”Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth inthe written description and attached claims are approximations that canvary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by aparticular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parametersshould be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstandingthat the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scopeof some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspracticable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of theinvention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from thestandard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve asa shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. One ormore members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the groupas modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an overview of the system according to embodiments of theinventive subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides an overview of the workflow associated with the systemsand methods of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 3 provides a diagram of multiple steps illustrated in FIG. 2 ingreater detail.

FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic example of a product offering provided to thesystem by an executing print shop, according to embodiments of theinventive subject matter.

FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic example of the product offering of FIG. 4Aconverted to standard terminology.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of a print job submitted by a requestingprint shop according to the second embodiment of the inventive subjectmatter.

FIG. 6 illustrates the process of selecting an executing print shopaccording to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 7 continues the process started in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 provides a simplified example illustrating how the inventivesubject matter does not require matching product names in order to matchand execute a submitted print job.

FIG. 9 provides an example of update events according to embodiments ofthe inventive subject matter.

FIG. 10 illustrates the systems and methods of the inventive subjectmatter as used by a plurality of print shops placing print jobs forexecution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the following discussion, numerous references will be maderegarding servers, services, interfaces, engines, modules, clients,peers, portals, platforms, or other systems formed from computingdevices. It should be appreciated that the use of such terms, is deemedto represent one or more computing devices having at least one processor(e.g., ASIC, FPGA, DSP, x86, ARM, ColdFire, GPU, multi-core processors,etc.) programmed to execute software instructions stored on a computerreadable tangible, non-transitory medium (e.g., hard drive, solid statedrive, RAM, flash, ROM, etc.). For example, a server can include one ormore computers operating as a web server, database server, or other typeof computer server in a manner to fulfill described roles,responsibilities, or functions. One should further appreciate thedisclosed computer-based algorithms, processes, methods, or other typesof instruction sets can be embodied as a computer program productcomprising a non-transitory, tangible computer readable media storingthe instructions that cause a processor to execute the disclosed steps.The various servers, systems, databases, or interfaces can exchange datausing standardized protocols or algorithms, possibly based on HTTP,HTTPS, AES, public-private key exchanges, web service APIs, knownfinancial transaction protocols, or other electronic informationexchanging methods. Data exchanges can be conducted over apacket-switched network, the Internet, LAN, WAN, VPN, or other type ofpacket switched network.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

The systems and methods of the inventive subject matter enable a printjob or order provided by a requesting print shop to be executed by anexecuting print shop wherein the terminology used by each print shop todescribe the characteristics of a print job are different.

FIG. 1 provides an overview of the system according to systems andmethods of the inventive subject matter. As shown in FIG. 1, the system100 includes one or more central server(s) 110 communicatively coupledto a plurality of print shops 120,130 via the print shops' computingdevices over a data exchange network (e.g., Internet, cellular, etc.)that allows for the exchange of data between the server(s) 110 and eachof the print shops 120,130.

Each of the print shops 120, 130 are considered to include one or morecomputing devices that are capable of exchanging data with server(s)110. Thus, it is understood that mentions of data exchanges between theserver(s) 110 and the print shops 120,130 refer to data exchangesbetween the server(s) 110 and the respective computing device(s) of theprint shops 120,130. The executing print shops 130 are also consideredto have one or more printers or other printing output devices to executea print order to produce a printed output (executed print job). Theprint shops 120,130 are preferably intermittently networked with thecomputing devices. One or more requesting print shops 120 may also haveone or more printers or other printing output devices.

For the purposes of illustrating the functions and processes of theinventive subject matter, the print shops are shown in FIG. 1 asrequesting print shops 120 and executing print shops 130. It isunderstood that one or more of the requesting print shops 120 can also,in some embodiments, perform some or all of the functions of anexecuting print shop 130 and vice-versa.

FIG. 2 provides a workflow diagram of the execution of the functions andprocesses according of the inventive subject matter. FIG. 3 provides azoomed-in diagram of several of the steps illustrated in FIG. 2.

At step 210, a print job associated with a customer is sent from printshop 120 to the central server(s) 110.

A print job includes one or more physical job attributes according to aterminology associated with the particular print shop 120 and one ormore logistics job attributes.

The physical job attributes of a print job are the attributescorresponding to the article to be printed. In other words, the physicaljob attributes of the print job are those attributes that will affectthe physical printed product resulting from an execution of the printjob. Examples of physical job attributes include attributes such aspaper size, paper orientation, paper stock, paper quality, substrate,paper color, ink type, ink colors, printing resolution, etc.

The physical job attributes of the print job generated at print shop 120and received by central server 110 are in a terminology used by theparticular print shop 120, which may or may not be necessarilyconsistent or shared by other print shops 120,130. For example, for aparticular type of job (e.g., printing a pamphlet), a particular printshop may use the terminology “small”, “medium” and “large” that do notnecessarily correspond to a specific paper size. Likewise, a particularprint shop might use terminology to describe a color that is notnecessarily be identical to that used by another print shop for thatspecific color or color variant.

The logistics job attributes of the print job are considered to be thoserelated to the logistics aspects of the print job, including attributesassociated with the processes of producing a printed product. Examplesof logistics job attributes include a printing process (e.g.,digital/litho/other), a delivery address, a delivery deadline, an amountof copies, a cost ceiling, an indicator of minimum executing print shop130 quality, reliability, or reputation, a geographic location, etc.

In embodiments, the print job can be generated by the computing deviceat print shop 120 via the entering of the various attributes associatedwith the print job on-site, such as by a customer or a print shopemployee working with a customer physically at the print shop 120.

In embodiments, the print job can be created based on submissions by acustomer on a website operated or managed by print shop 120's thatallows for a customer to create an order, input the printing attributesor characteristics, upload a file with a document, a sample, an image,or other item to be printed, and input other options related to theorder (e.g., desired delivery date, shipping options and information,billing information, copies desired, paper quality, etc.).

At step 220, the central server 110 is programmed to convert one or moreof the physical job attribute(s) in the print job to a standardterminology. Standard terminology is considered to be the names, valuesor characteristics associated with the various physical job attributesaccording to a standard nomenclature. For example, standard terminologyfor paper sizes can include standard sizes such as 8.5×11 inches,standard envelopes, etc. Standard terminology for colors can be colorsaccording to standard color profiles, formats or models (CMYK, RGB,etc.). Other standards can include standard paper or cardstocks, fonts,font sizes, etc.

To perform the conversion, the central server 110 uses a mapping schemecreated by the requesting print shop 120. The mapping scheme can bestored locally by the central server 110 or in a separate databaseaccessible by the central server 110. Alternatively, the mapping schemecan be stored by the computing device at the requesting print shop 120and submitted to the central server 110 along with the print job.

The mapping scheme is a correlation of a particular print shop'sterminology to the standard terminology. Each of the print shops 120,130in the system 100 has a corresponding mapping scheme generated by eachof the individual print shops. To illustrate, a mapping scheme isexplained as corresponding to the print shop 120 that sent the printjob. To generate the mapping scheme, the system 100 can provide aninterface accessible via the print shop 120's computing device (such asvia a website interface or downloadable application). The interfaceallows the print shop 120 to correlate their particular terminology usedfor the physical job attributes with a corresponding attribute of thestandard terminology. This can be achieved via a selection of one ormore attributes according to the standard terminology and allowing theprint shop operator to input their individual terminology as correlatedto those attributes. Other contemplated user interface tools includeselectable drop-down menus of standard terminology attributes that canbe added to a correlation with a particular individual terminology beingentered. For example, for the print shop that offers “large”, “medium”and “small” print sizes, the user creating the mapping can select one ormore paper sizes to correspond to each of “large”, “medium” and “small.”The output of the conversion is the print job in standard terminology.

It should be noted that the attribute mapping does not have to be aone-to-one correlation of attributes. For example, the system 100 allowsa user to create a mapping such that an attribute in their shop'sterminology corresponds to more than one attribute in standardterminology. For example, a “medium size” attribute created by the printshop can correspond to a height attribute having a particular value(e.g., height: 11 inches) and a width attribute having a particularvalue (e.g., width, 8 inches) in standard terminology.

FIG. 3 provides a closer illustration of step 220, wherein afterreceiving the print job in the terminology used by print shop 120(illustrated in the form of attributes having terminology “A”, “B” and“C”), the server 110 then translates it according to the mapping createdby print shop 120 to result in attributes “1”, “2”, and “3”,representing the standard terminology used by the system. In theillustrative example of FIG. 3, attributes A and B submitted by shop 120are considered to be the logistics attributes and attribute C is thephysical job attribute.

It should be noted that, in embodiments, one or more of the logisticsattributes are submitted by a print shop 120 in the standard terminologydue to requirements of the standard terminology protocol or because theyare such that no alternative naming is needed or likely to be used by aprint shop 120/130. Logistics attributes representing the quantity of anorder or a desired date of delivery are example of those that can besubmitted in standard terminology by print shop 120. As such, they donot require conversion.

In the example of FIG. 3, attributes A and B are considered to alogistics attribute submitted according to the terminology used by printshop 120 that requires conversion to the standard terminology.

In embodiments, the system 100 can store (either by server 110 orclient-side, or both) groupings of mapped attributes corresponding toproducts that an executing print shop 130 is capable of offering. Thegrouping can be given a name attribute. If the product has acorresponding name or category attribute in the standard terminology,the creating print shop can similarly map the name attribute accordingto the print shop's terminology to the standard terminology in the samemanner as the mapping of the other attributes is performed. Likewise, arequesting print shop 120 can create a grouping for a product they wishto order with the desired attributes of the product that are mapped asdiscussed above, which can similarly include a name attribute for thegroup.

In embodiments, the standard terminology used corresponds to the JobDefinition Format (“JDF”) protocol and the converted print job is in JDFjob format. For example, the standard terminology can include theproduct intent resources according to Chapter 7 of the JDFspecification.

At step 230, the central server 110 selects an executing print shop 130from the plurality of executing print shops 130 based on one or more ofthe logistics job attributes. For example, based on an availability tomeet a turnaround time, to meet a particular cost estimate for theorder, etc.

In embodiments, the central server 110 has a database storing logisticsattributes of each of the executing print shops 130, which correspond tothe characteristics and capabilities (e.g., capacity, printercapabilities, location, processes used, etc.) of each executing printshop 130. In these embodiments, the central server 110 compares one ormore of the logistics job attributes of the print job with those of theprint shops 130 to select the print shop 130. In these embodiments, theprint shops 130 can submit updated logistics attribute informationperiodically (e.g., daily, weekly, hourly, etc.) such that the databaseis kept up-to-date.

FIG. 3 illustrates that, at step 230, the server 110 finds a match inprint shop 130 based on logistics attributes 1 and 2 and the attributescorresponding to the shop 130. FIG. 3 also shows that physical jobattribute 3 is not used in the matching but corresponds to the physicaljob attribute 3 of the particular shop 130 (represented by thebroken-line arrow). The information provided by shop 130 to enable amatch can be in the form of a product offering that includes all of theattributes of a particular product offered by a shop 130.

In other embodiments, the central server 110 can be programmed to selectone or more executing print shops 130 based on static attributes such aslocation or maximum capacity, and then send a request to the print shop130 including the relevant logistics job attributes of the print jobsuch that the print shop 130 confirms its availability to execute thejob according to the logistics job attributes of the print job. Uponreceiving a confirmation, the central server 110 then selects the printshop 130. It should be noted that it is contemplated that a print jobcan be distributed among more than one executing print shop 130 in thesame way that a single print shop is selected, whereby the centralserver 110 is programmed to divide the print job such that it is capableof distribution among several print shops 130 that collectively can meetthe demands expressed in the logistics job attributes.

In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the central server 110is programmed to, at step 220, convert only the logistics attributesrequired for the matching at step 230 into the standard terminology.Then, after selecting an executing print shop 130 at step 230, thecentral server 110 proceeds to convert the physical job attributes fromthe terminology of the print shop 120 into the standard terminology.This reduces the computing load on the server 110 and the speed of theprocess by reducing the conversions performed in the event no matchingexecuting print shop 130 is found.

Upon selecting a print shop 130, the central server 110 converts thephysical job attributes of the print job from the standard terminologyto the terminology used by the print shop 130 at step 240. Each printshop could have its own proprietary terminology, where central server110 saves a mapping that provides a translation key between at leastsome of the terms of the standard terminology to the print shopterminology. In preferred embodiments, the server's mapping is generatedsuch that every term of the standard terminology has a mapping thatconverts that term to a term in a print shop terminology. In otherembodiments, the server's mapping is generated such that mappings forsome print shops are fully mapped (100% of the standard terms could betranslated), and mappings for other print shops are only partiallymapped (80% of the standard terms could be translated). In suchembodiments, preferably the system performs a compromise mapping.

Exemplary compromise mappings include providing default translations foruntranslatable terms, providing an error message for untranslatableterms, or for retrieving user input for untranslatable terms. Exemplaryerror messages include one or more strings of the exact text ofuntranslatable terms being provided as an addendum to the print job,such that a human user can resolve the portion of the print job that isuntranslatable. Exemplary methods of retrieving user input comprisestriggering an alert to a user, for example a text message, email, or ascreen-pop up, transmitting at least a portion of the untranslatableterm to a user interface accessible to an admin user, and then receivinga translation from the user.

As with the conversion described at step 220, the central server 110uses the mapping scheme generated by the selected print shop 130 toconvert the print job into the terminology that the print shop 130 isfamiliar with.

As discussed herein, the mapping generated by print shops 120,130 is anassociation or link of a print shop's attribute and attribute value to acorresponding attribute and attribute value in the standard terminologyof the system. Thus, for each mapping, the system 100 stores theassociation such that when “converting” from the terminology of a printshop to standard terminology, the server 110 retrieves the correspondingsaved attribute and attribute value in standard terminology indicated bythe association of the attribute in the print shop's terminology andvice versa for converting from standard terminology to a particularprint shop's terminology.

As seen in FIG. 3, the server 110 converts attributes 1, 2 and 3 (instandard terminology) to attributes AA, BB, CC, which are attributesaccording to the terminology used by print shop 130.

The other attributes (4 and 5) shown in FIG. 3 are those that alsocorrespond to the shop 130 but are not related to the print jobsubmitted by the shop 120, so they are not matched or converted as partof the process.

The print job (i.e., converted attributes AA, BB, CC) is then submittedto the print shop 130 for execution at step 250 according to theconverted physical job attributes (in FIG. 3, attribute CC) and thelogistics job attributes (attributes AA, BB) of the print job. Thecomputer at print shop 130 then receives the order and, based on itsinternal terminology, can configure networked printers to execute theprint job.

Along with the converted print job submitted by the central server 110to the executing print shop 130, the central server 110 can, inembodiments, include an instruction that the print products resultingfrom the execution of the print job to be packaged or otherwise labeledfor delivery to the customer as having originated from a third partyclearinghouse (such as the entity operating the central server 110).This way, the customer receiving the print shop is unaware of the printshop 130 that actually executed the printing (thus preventing that thecustomer bypasses going to print shop 120 in the future just because inthis instance print shop 120 couldn't handle the job). Similarly, theprint shop 120 is unable to take credit for print shop 130's work.

At step 260, the printed product of the print job is shipped orotherwise delivered to the requesting customer. At step 270, feedback isreceived from the customer. The feedback can be provided via thecomputing device of requesting print shop 120 (through which thecustomer placed the order originally) or via a feedback interfaceprovided directly by central server 110 (e.g., web-based form).

The feedback is used by the central server 110 to work with therequesting print shop 120 and the executing print shop 130 to fine-tunethe mapping schemes of one or both of the print shops 120,130. Thus, atstep 280, the central server 110 can provide the customer's feedbackand/or recommendations on adjustments to the mapping schemes to improvethe accuracy of the correlation between the standard terminology and theindividual terminology used by the particular print shop.

In embodiments, the customer feedback is analyzed to determine if it ispositive or negative. If it is negative, the central server 110 analyzesthe feedback to determine the nature of the deficiency in the print(e.g., the “red” was actually more of an “orange”, the stock is wrong,etc). The central server 110 can then categorize the feedback ascorresponding to a particular physical job attribute that was incorrect.

To determine whose “fault” it is, the central server 110 can storefeedback for the particular print shops 120, 130 and the other printshops with which they interacted in historical print jobs. For each ofthe print shops 120, 130, the central server 110 analyzes the feedbackfor that particular physical job attribute. If, for that attribute, oneof the print shops 120, 130 has historically had more complaints, thenthe central server 110 can determine that it is more likely that thatprint shop has the miscalibrated mapping scheme.

In a further variation of this feedback process, the central server 110can review the historical feedback for the other shops that have workedin the past with the individual shops 120,130, and based on how often acomplaint related to that particular physical attribute was made againstthose historical other shops, the central server 110 can determine howlikely it was that the error or complaint was due to a fault in themapping scheme of either shop 120, 130.

In another embodiment of the inventive subject matter, the matching isperformed according to the physical job attributes of a submitted printjob. In these embodiments, the overall process at a high level functionssimilarly to those of the above embodiments. As such, the overall systemcomponents of FIG. 1 and the process of FIG. 2 are similarly applicable.The differences in the process between these embodiments and thosediscussed above are described in further detail as follows:

FIG. 4A provides an illustrative diagrammatic example of the productoffering 400, according to these embodiments of the inventive subjectmatter. The product offering 400 is a collection of attributes thatcorrespond to a particular printing product offered for production by anexecuting print shop 130. Thus, the product offering 400 can be acollection of attributes representative of a product from the print shop130's product catalog.

As seen in FIG. 4A, a product offering 400 offered by the executingshops 130 via the server 110 includes a collection of fixed attributes410 required to be present in a submitted print job to result in amatch. These fixed attributes 410 (attributes AA and BB) are physicaljob attributes that must be present in order for the system 100 to matchthat particular product offering 400 of the particular executing printshop 130, which corresponds to the minimum physical attributes of theproduct needed such that the print shop 130 can execute the requestedprint job. The product offerings 400 can be created via a selection ofattributes by the personnel of executing print shop 130. The productoffering 400 can be named or labeled by the print shop 130 creating it,to correspond to the real-world product that the product offering 400represents.

As with the embodiments discussed above, the attributes of the productoffering 400 in the example shown in FIG. 4 are in the terminology usedby the particular executing print shop 130, which have mapped to thestandard terminology used by server 110. In other words, as part of thegeneration of product offering 400, or at a time prior to the generationof the particular product offering 400, the print shop 130 has mappedthe attributes in their particular terminology to the standardterminology used by the system as discussed above. Thus, the server 110,for the purposes of matching the product offering 400 with a print jobsubmitted by a requesting print shop 120, receives the product offering400, and converts the attributes to the standard terminology accordingto the mapping created by the print shop 130. The converted productoffering 400A (illustrated in FIG. 4B), with the attributes in standardterminology (i.e., attributes 1-7) is stored by the server 110.

The print job may also include optional attributes 420. The optionalattributes can include additional physical attributes beyond those thatmake up the fixed attributes as well as the logistical attributes. Itshould be noted that in these embodiments, the logistical attributesincluding those related to processes for producing various types ofproducts, will always be considered to be optional attributes.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4A, the optional attributes 420 arelogistical attributes corresponding to two optional processes (“ProcessA” and “Process B”) that the particular executing print shop 130 hasavailable to carry out a print job for the product offered via productoffering 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of a print job 500 submitted by arequesting print shop 120.

As seen in FIG. 5, the print job 500 includes a plurality of attributesthat can be categorized as physical job attributes 510 (also referred toas “product attributes”) and logistical attributes 520 (also referred toas “process attributes”). It should be noted that the server 110 doesnot distinguish or categorize the various attributes of print job 500 asfixed or optional. This categorization is performed for the productofferings 400 added to the system by each respective executing printshop 130. The attributes A-E of FIG. 5 are in the terminology used bythe particular requesting print shop 120. The print job 500 may also bereferred to as a “product intent.”

The print job 500 can include a name attribute, whereby the creatinguser at the requesting print shop 120 can assign a product or marketingname to this print job.

In embodiments, the print job 500 can be saved at the client sidecomputing device or at server 110 such that the user can requestadditional orders in the future without having to reconstruct the order.As such, via a web-connected interface (e.g., website or downloadableapplication provided by server 110 for access to the system), a user atrequesting print shop 120 can simply submit an order by selecting theproduct name which brings up the saved order attributes. In embodiments,the interface prompts the user to enter an order amount or confirm aprevious order amount for submission to the server 110.

By enabling the product offering 400 and the print job 500 to beassigned names, the server 110 enables a product definition of a productwithin the system—a mapping of the marketing term or name of theproducts according to the respective names or terminology used by eachrequesting print shop 120 and executing print shop 130 to the productioncriteria of the product as set forth in the respective attributes of theproduct offerings and the submitted print jobs.

In embodiments where the standard terminology used is the JDF protocol,the server 110 stores a JDF-compatible XML file that enables the mappingof the marketing name to the JDF terminology. The XML file contains onlythe JDF terms used for the functions of the system 100 within the server110, which is a subset of all of the JDF terms. As discussed above, auser at print shops 120/130 can map the characteristics according totheir respective terminology to the JDF terms via a selection from alist, drop-down menu, etc. By also having a product name attribute withthe product offering 400 or print job 500, the user thereby maps theproduct name to the corresponding JDF terms.

In these embodiments, the server 110 performs the selection of anexecuting print shop 130 at step 230 based on matching the attributes ofthe print job 500 to the respective attributes of the product offerings400 made available within the system. If any optional attributes areincluded in the print job, then the server 110 also considers theoptional attributes during the matching. FIG. 6 illustrates the processof selecting an executing print shop 130 according to these embodimentsof the inventive subject matter.

Similar to the process illustrated in FIG. 3, the server 110 alsoperforms a conversion of the attributes of the print job 500 from theterminology of the requesting print shop 120 to the standard terminologyat step 220 in the process illustrated in FIG. 6. The server 110 thenselects the executing print shop 130 by matching the convertedattributes 1-5 to the attributes of the product offering 400A at step230 (which, as discussed above, are in the standard terminology). Inthis example, because the print job 500 also includes optionalattributes D and E (converted to attributes 4 and 5), all fiveattributes must match to select this particular product offering 400A.

Following the selection of the particular product offering 400A, theserver 110 converts the matching attributes to the terminology used bythe executing print shop 130 to which product offering 400A at step 240(not illustrated here for clarity) corresponds and sends the order inthe shop 130's terminology to the shop for executing at step 250. Theserver 110 does not convert the non-matching attributes.

In embodiments, the server 110 is programmed to, at step 220, firstconvert only the product attributes of a print job 500 to standardterminology and then match those to the fixed attributes of the productofferings 400A stored by the server 110. Upon completing this step andfinding at least one product offering 400A whose fixed attributes arematched, the server 110 then converts any process attributes included inprint job 500. This way, the server 110 first ensures that the fixedattributes of at least one product offering 400A are matched, thusconserving computing resources by not converting the process resourcesof the print job 500 if no product offerings 400A match. If no matchesare found, the server 110 returns a notification message to therequesting print shop 120.

Because the attributes CC, DD and EE of product offering 400A werematched, the process A is used by print shop 130 since the attributesCC, DD, EE were defined as being a part of this process. This may bebecause the attributes are inherently part of the process or because theparticular print shop 130 set this definition as an internal rule. Forexample, if attribute CC was a threshold amount of an order (e.g., Xcopies), attribute DD is an attribute associated with a minimum deliverydate, and attribute EE is a cost threshold amount, the process A may bea particular production process for the product specified by the fixedattributes that the print shop 130 uses to be able to produce theproduct within the constraints of the attributes CC, DD, and EE.

If a print job 500 does not include optional attributes, then itindicates that the requesting print shop 120 is not concerned with theseattributes and the print shop 130. Thus, in embodiments, the optionattributes are disregarded by the system when making a match and are notpart of the order submitted to the print shop 130 for execution.

However, in other embodiments, the optional attributes of a productoffering 400 (and thus converted product offering 400A) are consideredto be “common” attributes of the product. These attributes are notrequired to be specified by the requesting user in the print job 500(thus, optional) but the system 100 nevertheless requires that the orderbe carried out according to at least one of the options of a particulartype submitted as optional attributes in the product offering 400. Inother words, if a product offering 400 includes two optional processesand a matching print job 500 does not include any optional attributes atall such that neither process in the offering 400 would be selected, theprint shop 130 nevertheless must execute the order according to one ofthe offered processes. This way, the requesting print shop 120 knowsthat the print job will not be processed according to characteristics orprocesses that are outside of those selectable or represented by thesystem 100. To do so, the server 110 can send a message to the printshop 130 along with the translated order indicating that no optionalattributes matched and indicating the available processes acceptableaccording to the system. Alternatively, the server 110 can be programmedto select an alternative by default or via a designated alternativeselected by the print shop 130.

It should be noted that, as discussed herein, a match is considered tobe a match of attribute and attribute value of two correspondingattributes. Thus, matching of an attribute type (e.g., paper attribute)will still not result in a match if the values of the attributes do notmatch (paper of 14PT versus paper of 12PT).

FIG. 7 continues the process started in FIG. 6, illustrating where atstep 240 the attributes are converted to the terminology used by theexecuting print shop 130 that submitted the product offering 400 andsent, as a print order, to the print shop 130 at step 250 for execution.

FIG. 8 provides a simplified example illustrating how the functions ofthe inventive subject matter do not require matching product names inorder to match and execute a submitted print job 500 (labeled as printjob 800 for this illustrative example). As seen in FIG. 8, a requestingprint shop 120 wishes to order what are, according to his terminology,“Regular Flyers.” The print job 800 for Regular Flyers includesattributes according to what print shop 120 considers “Medium Size”having a shiny finish and deluxe color. Based on the mapping provided byprint shop 120, the server 110 coverts the attributes of the print job800 to the standard terminology, having attributes of height (11inches), width (6 inches), finish (glossy), and color (CMYK) at step 220as discussed above. The matching process of step 230 as discussed above(not repeated here for simplicity and clarity) results in a match of aproduct offering 810 (product offering 400, relabeled for this example)that, in the terminology of the executing print shop 130 that submittedit, has attributes of height (11 inches), width (6 inches), finish(Fancy) and color (scheme A). The print job is thus submitted accordingto the terminology of the executing print shop 130.

Some of the attributes may include a tolerance value whereby a strictmatch is not required of the values, but instead there must be a matchwithin a tolerance to result in a true match for the attribute.Attributes such as order amount, delivery date, and price can beconsidered to be tolerance value attributes. For example, a productoffering of an executing print shop 130 may specify a particular minimumprice attribute for a particular product and of a particular amount. Ifthe print job 500 specifies a maximum price for that job, the server 110considers the price attribute of the print job 500 to be within thetolerance of the product offering 400 and thus deems it a match. Theserver 110 can be programmed to set the price for the print job whensubmitted to the executing print shop 130 as the minimum price set bythe print shop 130 in the product offering, thus giving the submittingprint shop 120 the most competitive price.

In embodiments, the server 110 is also programmed to determine a matchbased on logistical factors outside of a product offering 400 such asthe geographic location of the print shop 130 relative to the requestingprint shop 120, and the time and costs associated with shipping thefinished product to the requesting print shop 120.

In these embodiments, the server 110 is communicatively coupled tocomputing devices (e.g., servers) of one or more third-party shippingand logistics providers. When a match is made as discussed above, theserver 110 is programmed to send a request to the third-party shippingand logistics providers to obtain shipping costs and times for theorder. The server 110 then adds the resulting costs and time estimatesfor shipping to the costs and production time for a job provided bymatching print shops 130 and selects among the print shops 130 accordingto the adjusted information. Thus, the selection of the print shop 130to execute the job is based not only on the print shop's ability toexecute a print job for a particular product, but also on factors thatmay influence the ability to meet the print job requirements that areoutside of the particular print shop's control.

In alternative embodiments, the server 110 is programmed to allow arequesting print shop 120 to create an order for a particular product byenabling a user to select the attributes for the job in standardterminology. To do so, the server 110 is programmed to present a websiteor other client-facing portal, whereby the server 110 provides theattributes available for selection to the user. The attributes can bepresented via a list, drop-down selection menu, etc.

In a variation of these embodiments, the server 110 is programmed toprovide an instructional application (e.g., a “wizard”) that walks theuser through the creation of the order. The wizard is programmed to askthe user for inputs that enable the wizard to present attributes forselection in standard terminology, and does so sequentially until thenecessary attributes for a particular product or product offering areselected.

As discussed above, the system 100 is able to provide feedback andprogress updates to a requesting print shop 120. To do so, the server110 is programmed to, along with a print order submitted to theexecuting shop 130, submit instructions executable by computing devicesat the executing shop 130 to report as certain events before, duringand/or after the production process are completed. FIG. 9 provides anexample of the update events. As seen in FIG. 9, many of the updateevents are optional, whereby a print shop 130 can report these events ifthey wish to do so. The checked items are required updates that requirethe print shop 130 to confirm to server 110 upon completion of the eventsuch that server 110 in turn communicates the update to the print shop120. In embodiments, a print job 500 can include a list of requiredupdates selected by print shop 120 that the shop wishes to be notifiedupon completion. These are then passed along by the server 110 to theselected executing print shop 130.

FIG. 10 illustrates the system 100 of the inventive subject matter asused by a plurality print shops 120 a-120 h placing print jobs forexecution. As seen in FIG. 10, each print shop 120 places an order,which is matched according to the processes and methods discussed aboveto a particular executing print shop 130 (represented by each of thecolumns). After matching, each print shop 130 that receives print jobsproceeds to execute during the manufacture or reporting stage, andpasses the process to delivery. The system can also work with shippingproviders to provide tracking confirmation functions to the variousrequesting print shops 120. Two of the columns have no match, meaningnone of the submitted jobs matched the product offerings of thoseexecuting print shops.

It is contemplated that the system will also include invoicing functionsto generate invoices for executed jobs. The invoices and otherinformation can be stored in server 110, in a database associated withan invoicing function, or in a separate data warehouse that can also beused to store other system data such as the mappings, the standarddefinition attributes, etc., and be updated periodically according to aschedule to ensure that the data relied upon is current.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of printing, comprising: receiving froman originating print shop, a print job requested by a customer, whichincludes (a) a physical job attribute according to a first terminology,and (b) and a logistics job attribute; converting the physical jobattribute to a standard terminology according to a self-mappingmaintained by the originating print shop; using the logistics jobattribute to select an executing print shop from among a plurality ofavailable print shops; converting the physical job attribute from thestandard terminology to a second terminology according to a self-mappingmaintained by the executing print shop; directing the executing printshop to execute the print job in accordance with the physical and alogistics job attributes, as interpreted according to the self-mappingmaintained by the executing print shop; sending the executed print jobto the customer; and working with at least one of the originating andexecuting print shops modify their respective self-mappings according tofeedback from the customer.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stepof sending the executed print job to the customer further comprisesincluding identification of a clearinghouse on packaging for theexecuted print job, the clearinghouse being an entity other than theoriginating and executing print shops.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising excluding from the packaging, both identification of theoriginating print shop and identification of the executing print shop.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the standard terminology is accordingto a JDF format.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior toconverting, querying the selected print shop for confirmation ofcapability to execute the job, the query including the logistics jobattribute; receiving a confirmation from the selected print shop; and inresponse to receiving the confirmation, undertaking the step ofdirecting the executing print shop to execute the print job.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: providing a self-mappinginterface configured to receive the first terminology from theoriginating print shop; and receiving a user selection of a mapping ofthe standard terminology to the first terminology.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, further wherein the self-mapping interface comprises (a) afield allowing entry of the first terminology and (b) a drop-down menuallowing for the selection of the standard terminology, the standardterminology comprising one or more industry-standard terminologies forthe particular physical job attribute.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe step of working further comprises: analyzing the feedback from thecustomer to determine a nature of a complaint regarding the deliveredprint job; consulting a database of historical print jobs for each ofthe originating and the executing print shops, including customerfeedback associated with those historical print jobs; identifying acommonality of the nature of the complaint for at least one of theoriginating print shops and the executing print shops based on theirrespective historical print jobs; and providing an indication that theself-mapping of one or more of the originating and executing print shopsneeds to be modified based on the commonality of the nature of thecomplaint for the respective print shop.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising: for each of the historical print jobs, identifyinganother print shop that worked with the respective originating andexecuting print shops; consulting the database to locate otherhistorical print jobs for each of the another print shops, the otherhistorical print jobs including customer feedback associated with thoseother historical print jobs; identifying a commonality of the nature ofthe complaint for at least one of the another print shops and therespective originating and executing print shop based on theirrespective historical print jobs and the respective other historicalprint jobs; and providing the indication the self-mapping of one or moreof the originating and executing print shops needs to be modified basedon the commonality of the nature of the complaint for the respectiveoriginating or executing print shop and the other print shops.